Strait of Hormuz Mine Clearance Could Take Six Months, Pentagon Warns Congress

Pentagon Warns Six Months Needed to Clear Hormuz Mines

The Pentagon has told Congress that clearing Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz could take up to six months. A senior Defense Department official shared this estimate during a classified briefing on Tuesday. The briefing took place before members of the House Armed Services Committee. Three officials familiar with the discussion confirmed the details.

The senior Defense Department official stated that clearance operations will likely not begin until the US war with Iran formally ends. Both Democrats and Republicans met the timeline with frustration, two officials said. The assessment signals that gasoline and oil prices could stay elevated long after any peace deal concludes. The conflict’s economic impact may extend late into this year or beyond.

On Wednesday, the average cost of a gallon of gas in the United States stood at $4.02, according to AAA. Trump has offered contradictory statements about when fuel prices might fall. He said this month that prices “could be the same or maybe a little bit higher” by the midterms. He then declared that prices would be “much lower” before the election.

Ceasefire Extended but Naval Blockade Remains in Place

On Tuesday night, Trump announced an extension to the US-Iran ceasefire. The ceasefire had been due to expire on Wednesday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that the extension is open-ended. She confirmed it carries no new deadline.

Leavitt said Trump remains “satisfied” with the ongoing US naval blockade against Iran. She added that Trump “understands Iran is in a very weak position.” Asked when the war would end, Leavitt said Trump would decide “when he feels it’s in the best interests of the United States.” She made clear the decision rests entirely with the president.

Iran has strongly objected to the continued blockade. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the US naval blockade as an “act of war.” He also called it a direct violation of the ceasefire agreement. Iran insists it will not negotiate under the “shadow of threats” or while the blockade remains active.

Iran Refuses to Reopen the Strait While Blockade Continues

Iran’s parliament speaker stated that Tehran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He linked this position directly to the continued US naval blockade. He described the blockade as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire terms. His statement underscored Iran’s firm resistance to outside pressure.

Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addressed the situation in a social media post on Wednesday. He stated that reopening the Strait is “not possible” given what he described as ceasefire violations. He accused the US of holding the global economy “hostage” through the naval blockade. He also cited Israeli “warmongering” as a further obstacle to progress.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed that Iran remains open to negotiations. However, he identified the core barriers clearly. He stated that “breach of commitments, blockade and threats are main obstacles to genuine negotiations.” His comments highlighted the deep divide between the two sides.

Seized Ships Add Tension to an Already Volatile Waterway

Violence in the Strait of Hormuz continues to escalate. Iran announced that it seized two cargo ships in the strait on Wednesday morning. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the seizures. The ships taken were identified as MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, both of which sustained damage.

Global security monitors also reported attacks on three container ships in the strait. A third vessel, the UAE-owned Euphoria, came under attack approximately eight nautical miles west of Iran. The maritime security firm Vanguard confirmed the details of that incident. No damage to the ship or injuries to crew occurred in that particular attack.

Tracking data from MarineTraffic, analysed by BBC Verify, showed Euphoria appeared to have dropped anchor near a port in the United Arab Emirates. Iran did not comment specifically on the Euphoria incident. The IRGC focused its public statements on the two vessels it formally seized. The escalating incidents highlight the extreme danger the strait now presents to global shipping.

Political Pressure Mounts as Peace Talks Stall

Peace talks between the US and Iran have stalled significantly. It appeared early Tuesday that both sides would hold new talks in Pakistan this week. Those talks have yet to begin. JD Vance, who was due to lead the US delegation, remains in the United States.

An adviser to Iran’s parliamentary speaker cast doubt on the ceasefire extension. The adviser suggested it could serve as a “ploy to buy time” for potential military escalation. This skepticism reflects deep distrust between the two governments. The fragile diplomatic situation continues to evolve day by day.

The war’s political impact inside the United States continues to grow. Trump’s decision to initiate the conflict has proved unpopular with most Americans, recent polls show. The war has also fractured Trump’s political base. Many of his supporters voted for him based on promises to avoid foreign military entanglements.

Economic Fallout Could Shape November Midterm Elections

The prolonged disruption threatens to keep prices elevated well into the year. This economic strain carries significant political weight. Republicans in Congress now face difficult questions ahead of November’s midterm elections. Elevated fuel costs affect ordinary Americans across every state.

The Strait of Hormuz serves as a vital global shipping route. Any extended closure or disruption sends shockwaves through international energy markets. The Pentagon’s six-month mine-clearance estimate suggests the disruption will not end quickly. Lawmakers from both parties now grapple with a conflict that carries enormous economic consequences.

Meanwhile, violence continues to spread across the broader region. Israeli settlers killed two people, including a child, in the occupied West Bank. Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon wounded civilians and damaged homes. Those strikes occurred despite a separate 10-day ceasefire in that area.